The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-07-01
CHAPTER XIII.

following the events described in the previous
chapter, II want to speak to you in my office
and you, too, Jeremy"
They both followed him into his room,
wondering what was up. He sat down, and
so did they, and then, as was his habit, letting
his eyes stray over every part of their per-
sons except their faces, he began:
at is time that you two fellows took to do
ing something for yourselves. You must
not learn to be idle men, not that most young
men require much teaching in that way.
What do you propose to do"
Jeremy and Ernest stared at one another
rather bankly, but apparently Mr. Cardus
did not expect an answer; at any rate, he
went on before either of them could frame
one
"You don't seem to know, never gave the
matter any consideration probably; quite con-
tent to obey the Bible literally, and take no
thought for the morrow. Well, it is lucky
that you have somebody to think for you.
Now l will tell what | propose for you both.
| want you, Ernest, to go to the bar. 1t is
foolish profession for most young men to take
to, but it will not be so in your case, because,
as it happens, if you show yourself capable,
shall by degrees be able to put good deal OF
business in your hands-chancery business
for have little to do with any other ! dare
say you will wonder where the business is to
come from. l don't seem to do very much
here, do II with mad old hunting man as
clerk, and Dorothy to copy my private letters;
but do, for all that. may as well tell you
both in confidence that this place is only the
head center Of my business. | have another
office In London, another at Ipswich, and
another at Norwich, though they all carry on
business under different names; besides which
l have other agencies of different nature.
But all this Is neither here nor there. have
communicated with Aster, the great chancery
man, and he will have vacancy in his cham
bers next term. Let me see-term begins on
Nov. q l propose, Ernest, to write to-day to
enter you at the Lincoln's inn. l shall make
you an allowance Of three hundred year,
which you must clearly understand you must
not exceed think that is all have to say
about the matter"
NJ am sure am very much obliged to you,
uncle" began Ernest, fervently, for since the
previous evening he had clearly realized that
1t was necessary for him to make beginning
of doing something.
But his uncle cut him short.
"All right, Ernest, we will understand all
that. Now, Jeremy, for you. l propose that
you shall be articled to me- and il you work
well and prove useful it is my intention in
In order that you may not feel entirely de-
pendent it is my further intention to make
you an allowance also, on the amount of
which have not yet settled"
Jeremy groaned in spirit at the thought Of
becoming a lawyer, even with "share of the
business but he remembered his conversa-
| tion with Dorothy and thanked Mr.. Cardus
with the best grace that he could muster.
"All right, then; ! will have the articles
prepared at once, and you can take to your
stool in the Office next week. l think that is
| all have to say"
| Acting on this hint the pair were depart
| ing, Jeremy in the deepest state of depression,
induced by the near prospect of that stool,
when Mr. Cardus called Ernest back
~ want to speak to you about something
else,n he said thoughtfully. "Shut the door'
| Ernest turned cold down his back, and
wondered if his uncle could have heard any.
thing about Eva. He had the full intention
of speaking to him about the matter but il
would be awkward to be boarded himself be,
fore he had made up his mind what to say
He shut the door, and then, walking to the
glass entrance to the orchid blooming house
stood looking at the flowers and waiting fol
Mr.. Cardus to begin But he did not begin
he seemed to be lost in thought
swell. unclep he said at last.
at is delicate business, Ernest, but may
as well get it over. am going to make a re
quest of you, a request to which l beg yoI
will give me no immediate answer, for from
its nature 1t will require the most anxious anC
careful consideration. / want you to listen
and say nothing. You can give me YOU
answer when you come back from abroad
At the same time, must tell you that it is
matter that trust you will not disappoin
me in; indeed, do not think that you coult
be so cruel as 10 do so. / must also tell yol
that II you do, you must prepare to be
great loser, financially speaking"
al have not the faintest idea what you ar
driving at uncle" said Ernest, turning fror
the glass door to speak.
~ know you have not. will tell you
Listen; l will tell you little story. Man
years ago q great misfortune overlook me,
misfortune SO great that it struck me o
| lightning sometimes does a tree; 1t left th
bark sound, but turned the heart TO ashea
Never mind what the details were, the
were nothing out Of the common; such thing
sometimes happen TO men and women. TIL
blow was so severe that it almost turned m
brain, so from that day gave myself TO 1,
yenge. II sounds melodramatic, but thei
was nothing Of the sort about it. | had bee
cruelty wronged and determined that thos
who had wronged me should taste some {
their own medicine. With the exception {
one man they have done SO. He has escape
/ me for time, but he Ia doomed To pa